Kahook Dual Blade (KDB) – Single-Use Ophthalmic Blade – Bozeman, MT

ABOUT the KBD

At Vance Thompson Vision, Drs. Berdahl, Greenwood, and Swan take great care to select the right treatment for each glaucoma patient to lower intraocular pressure. When new, innovative tools or techniques for glaucoma become available, our surgeons in Bozeman, MT do their best to be on the forefront of any treatment that can make our patients lives better. By opening the drainage system up with the Kahook dual blade, our experienced ophthalmologists can improve the natural outflow of aqueous fluids, decrease intraocular pressure, and lower the risk of glaucoma progression (which leads to blindness). The KDB (a single-use blade) has changed the way ophthalmologists perform minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) with considerable success.

There are multiple ways to manage glaucoma and our surgeons understand that treatments can range from prescription strength eye drops all the way to a surgical intervention. Before recommending surgery, our ophthalmology team will do their due diligence with comprehensive testing and eye exams, imaging, and more. Once you have a glaucoma treatment plan in place to have a procedure with the KBD, we will go over the pre and post-operative care instructions. Our experienced ophthalmology team and nursing staff will be there with you every step of the way. You can count on us to be your resource for information on managing your glaucoma care. If you have any questions or concerns about your treatment at Vance Thompson Vision, we are here with a listening ear. Learn more about MIGS and discover if KDB is the right choice for you.

Reviews

"Amazing team , Bozeman is lucky to have Dr. Swan and his team. Extremely thorough, detailed and it’s obvious the level of expertise and technology is second to none."

- M.B. / Google / Feb 28, 2019

"The staff was amazing from the first phone call to surgery day. If you are considering laser eye surgery you don't need to look further: this is world class technology and customer service right in Bozeman. I had PRK on 1/24/19 with Dr. Swan which was a painless, simple and quick procedure (despite my fears of it). I had -5.25 with astigmatism in both eyes and could tell the vision improvement the same day, drove 5 days later and one week out had major improvement in vision. My aftercare doctor has mentioned how smooth my eyes are and how well they are healing due to Dr Swan's technique. [Tips for PRK: plan to spend 2-3 days relaxing in a dark room (audio books and black out curtains a must!), pain happens after surgery so take the Tylenol immediately to keep up on pain management, and keep up on the eyes drops]"

- J.W. / Google / Feb 14, 2019

"The entire Vance Thompson team is purely wonderful! Dr. Swan, Bri, Susan, Kim and the entire crew make each patient feel comfortable, welcome, and well cared for at every interaction! I can't recommend these guys enough!!!"

- R.F. / Google / Feb 13, 2019

"Kind and competent best describes them. I felt cared for and thT my surgical concerns became their concerns."

5.0

Best Candidates

If you have been diagnosed with glaucoma (with or without cataracts), Drs. Berdahl, Greenwood, or Swan can make the determination if you are a great candidate for the KDB. We advise you to make an appointment for a consultation. Be prepared to review your list of current medications and answer a few questions regarding your medical and family health history. You may not be a qualifying patient if you are not compliant with treatment, require a more elaborate surgery, or have a trabecular meshwork that is out of the surgeon's line of sight.

Treatment Options

In our outpatient facility, your pre-operation nurse will prepare you for surgery by starting intravenous fluids and then taken into the operating room. You will also receive some sort of sedation or a general anesthetic (rare) to help you relax, lie on your back comfortably, and feel no pain. KDB treatment begins with a small incision in the cornea. With the eye inflated, your surgeon will then insert the KDB to remove a section of the trabecular meshwork (at the base of the cornea). Ultimately, the goal is to improve the eye's ability to drain easily and consequently lowering the intraocular pressure. Your incision will have some sutures. After the surgery, you will be discharged with a bandaged and/or patch covering the eye.

What to Expect

Immediately following your KDB procedure, you may resume normal, day-to-day activities. It is important to remember that the best treatment for glaucoma is consistency, so you will need to continue visiting your eye doctor at least every six months. It is also very important to maintain your medications and aftercare instructions so that when you see your eye care provider, you can discuss your progress and any changes to your treatment (as needed).

Procedure Information

Experience Advanced Tools

When you are discussing your glaucoma with your eye care provider, it is always a good idea to have information on the tools and techniques of your treatment. At Vance Thompson Vision, we would be happy to discuss your intraocular pressure and if a surgery using the KBD is appropriate for your case. Call and schedule an appointment in Bozeman, MT and ask about the possibilities, risks, and benefits of having MIGS with this innovative tool.